Space is filled on a first-come, first-served basis according to postmark/online registration date. We wait two weeks after the postmark/online registration date and then process applications for that date to assure postal delivery time for everyone throughout North America. Please allow 3-4 weeks for your registration to be processed.
For a more detailed description of the registration process CLICK HERE.
2. What
is the difference between a SERVE and an
ENCOUNTER experience? SERVE is a short-term mission experience offered through Youth Unlimited that involves hands-on service such as construction, painting, landscaping, preparing and serving meals. It is designed for those who have a desire to help others and discover who God is. ENCOUNTER experiences are offered through partner ministries and are for those who want to develop student leadership skills, learn how to share their faith, and explore God’s calling in their lives. ENCOUNTER involves engaging with people in ministry which may include activities like assisting with special-needs individuals, volunteering at sports and Bible camps, street ministry, teaching Bible school or English, inner-city or rural community development, new church planting and more.
Each SERVE experience is run by a host team of volunteers with the support of the YU Home office. All registrations, payments and administration for SERVE opportunities occur through Youth Unlimited. Each ENCOUNTER experience is run by a trusted partnering ministry organization or church. Youth Unlimited serves as a referral source for the partnering ministry. All registrations, payments and administration for ENCOUNTER opportunities occur directly through the partnering ministry organizations not through Youth Unlimited.
If you’re not sure which experience is right for you, contact us at (616) 241-5616, ext. 3040 or missions@youthunlimited.org and talk to us about your interests.
3. What
is the purpose of three site choices on the registration form?
If your first choice is full we will automatically put you in your second
or third choice respectively. If all your site choices are full we will call you
to find out where we can place you.
4. What are the important deadlines?
Spring Break Mission Experiences
Pre-registration option is not available
November 1 – Registration opens.
January 15 – Completed registration forms and fees due.
Summer Mission Experiences
November 1 – Registration opens.
February 1 – Preregistration option closes.
March 1 – Completed registration forms and remaining balance due of registration fee for each preregistered participant.
April 1 – Register before this date to receive $50 off the regular registration fee.
International Mission Experiences
November 1 – Registration opens.
Pre-registration option is not available.
February 1 – Completed registration forms and an initial payment of $500 USD is due to reserve a space on the team and to book your flights.
May 15 – Remaining balance due for registration and transportation fee.
If you request a change of site location or switch participants within 30 days of the start date of your mission experience, an additional $50 USD will be charged to cover administrative costs.
5. Is there still room at a particular
site?
If the site is at less than 100% capacity, we cannot guarantee you will get
in because we don’t know what is in the mail. We place applicants on
a first come first served basis based on the postmark dates.
6. What if I have not received my confirmation
yet for my mission experience?
If it has been more than a month since your application was postmarked, please
call the office and we can send another confirmation to you. If it has been
less than a month, the confirmation will be sent out soon. Also, If you have
not received a confirmation letter, it is possible that your registration
form was incomplete or the registration fee was not paid in full. If this
is the case, you will receive a notice via postal mail.
7. What if I have received my confirmation
letter, but have not received any other information?
The Host Team for your mission experience will be sending out more information about their site and what to bring. You can expect to receive the information approximately 30 days before your mission experience begins. 8. How is registering for a Spring Break
SERVE different?
Full forms and payment are due at the time of registering. No partial payments
or pre-registration will be accepted for Spring Break mission trips.
9. What is the age requirement to be a
small group leader?
Adult Small Group Leaders must be at least 21 years old and be mature Christian role models. All adults must have their pastor approve and sign their registration form endorsing their participation as a small group leader. Adult leaders act as work site supervisors and discussion facilitators for a small group of 6-8 students. NOTE: Youth groups must send a minimum of one adult for every five teens attending from your church. If taking both male and female youth, please register at least one adult of each gender.
10. Do I have to register with a group
or can I register as an individual?
You are welcome to register as an individual or a group, except for sites that have been identified as “groups-only” sites. In fact, many people register as individuals and then meet new people when they arrive at their site! Some sites are limited to individuals and groups of 5 or less only or are limited to individuals and groups of 15 or less only.
11. What is a groups-only site?
An individual cannot sign up for this site. A group is considered a minimum
of one adult and two youths. If you are flying to a groups only site, you
must secure your own transportation at the airport to take you to the site.
12. Will my group be split up at the site?
Yes, the sites will place participants in small work/prayer groups, trying
to not have people from the same church in the same group to promote a community
among the entire group. In order to facilitate strong team-building and new interpersonal relationships, it is recommended that groups of 10 or more are divided between two or more SERVE sites.
13. Where do we stay?
The local Host Team will arrange your lodging. For SERVE mission trips, you will typically stay in a church or in a school. Guys and girls have separate sleeping areas with same gender adults in each area. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag/pillow/air mattress. You will also need to provide your own towel for showering. Showers are typically off-site from your lodging facility so you may wish to bring a backpack or tote bag to use to carry your personal items to the shower each day. For ENCOUNTER mission trips, the partnering ministry usually arranges for you to stay with Host Families.
14. What will we be doing? You'll find out what specific work project(s) you'll be doing when you arrive. Your service projects are based on the type of mission experience you’ve chosen. Check out the Site Locations page to read about some of the work sites that are being organized.
All projects, and small group assignments, depend on the needs of the community at the time of your arrival. Because the local Host Teams partner with nonprofit organizations that are focused on meeting the most pressing needs of the communities we are serving, we're not able to guarantee specific service projects.
Visit the Example Schedule page, for a description of what a typical SERVE or ENCOUNTER week looks like.
15. What is a Special Needs site?
Special Needs SERVE are for youth, ages 14-26, with special needs that cannot
be accommodated at the traditional site.
16. What do I need to know about traveling across borders?
Please see the Travel Information page for instructions.
17. Is SERVE an acronym or does it stand for something?
No. It is capitalized in print materials and our website to show emphasis.
18. Who
do I contact if I have a question that is not listed here?
For more information call 616-241-5616, ext. 3040 or e-mail missions@youthunlimited.org.
Youth Unlimited
PO Box 7259
Grand Rapids, MI 49510
616.241.5616
